Nicern,
My daughter wascat CSA from Sept. 4-11 and had the same experience. Were the bites from sand fleas or mosquitoes? If bug spray won't keep them off, is there anything that will or is staying off the beach the only option?

Thanks so much to all who have contributed! I read through the whole thread yesterday, made notes, went shopping today and now I think we have everything we need now for our November adventure. 32 sleeps...

I agree with above. At couples now and I tell you bring at least three swim suits, lots and lots of sunscreen. For you fair people, I brought three bottles and used them half way through. It is evpensive in the gift shop. And the sun is very very strong. Definately less clothes. You really only wear your beahch wear and your dining outfits. I brought more casual clothes and have gone through only an outfit or two. Bring batteries in needed for any electronics.

With questions like this, I always recommend a couple of ink pens (blue or black) in your carry on. You'll need them to fill out the customs/immigration paperwork on the plane. There never seem to be enough pens to go around..

This is so true!! I always carry a pen. The last time I flew with US AIR to Jamaica they handed out forms and said "borrow a pen from your neighbor, we don't have any" and then at the end of the flight they handed out applications AND PENS to anyone interested in signing up for their US AIR Credit Card!! HAHA - so Yes - it's so much less stressful to have a pen - and bring a copy of your flight itinerary and keep it accessible on the plane - sometimes it's hard to understand when they annouce flight numbers, etc.. for the forms.

JUMPINJEN - I never thought to bring a beer cozie - that's such a good idea - plus when those little bups condensate, they get covered in sand - the cozie would help with that and getting them to stand up in the sand if you don't get a table..

BLONDIE - I am also too lazy to sit up for my drink!! I wish I would have thought about that last time! But I will remember when I go down next week to CSA!!!

Sorry to hear that your daughter got bit too. It was sand flees that got me. I've read about others on the board taking vitamin B supplements before and during their trip as a deterrent for bites, and I'll definitely be trying that next time. I plan to bring along plenty of Benadryl too.

Is the beer served in bottles/cans/cups at the resort? Just trying to figure out what type of coozie/hugger to bring to keep drinks cool. Also, does anyone have a "list" of info from this thread to post so you don't have to go through all the pages of the thread? It would be nice to have a summary of things in one nice list. I might be asking a bit much, but what the heck. We leave in 78 days!

This thread is awesome!!!!!!!!!!! I read through allll 16 pages and didn't see this mentioned....bungee cords. I don't know if it gets windier at certain times of the day, but if you are sitting on the balcony, the bungee cords could help keep the doors from moving, and when they are closed you can put a bungee cord around the door knobs for extra security. We leave for our very first Jamaica and Couples trip in 57 days! I'm soo excited. Thanks to all who put time and effort in giving all your helpful hints. I take a lot of what is mentioned already, but there were a few new ones....AWESOME!

Just a thought here. I love this thread on what to bring, but what about leaving behind some of the items you brought but may not have needed, like bug repellent, extra sun block, aloe etc. We all make friends there so why not just pass it on to them?

Hi. We had a late flight back to the UK from CSA last March. Had a part bottle of very good/expensive sunscreen (P20) not packed in checked bags as necessary for a day on the beach. On the way to the airport shuttle, handed it over to another couple who looked like they just arrived (still winter pale). At first they looked at me as if I was bonkers... hope they used it.

Just returned from CSA 10/19-28. For anyone with eyes over 21 years old, bring a lighted/magnified makeup mirror with you! The bathroom lighting is pretty dim, and it's tough to see to put makeup on, tweeze errant brow hairs, etc! Yeah, I know I'm admitting to old eyes but it's a very helpful tip!!

Excursion Tip
I google the Ochos Rios Cruise Ship Terminal schedule for the week of our vacation. This shows what days and how many ships are in port. We plan our excursions for the days when there are little or no ships in port. This really cuts down on the crowds which adds to the enjoyment of the outing.

Excursion Tip
I google the Ochos Rios Cruise Ship Terminal schedule for the week of our vacation. This shows what days and how many ships are in port. We plan our excursions for the days when there are little or no ships in port. This really cuts down on the crowds which adds to the enjoyment of the outing.

You should do Falmouth too as people from there would do Dunn's River Falls, etc.

This wife of a virgin AI-resort couple has LOVED reading this entire thread. I have about 5 pages of a Word document that's filled with tips from all of you veterans. Thank you! We have just 70 days until CTI...sooo excited! We were married 2.5 years ago and are finally taking a honeymoon. This is going to be the best way to break up a Midwesten winter.

The main things I'll take from this thread are probably:
1. Less clothing: just bring beachwear and dinner outfits
2. First aid/OTC meds
3. Koozies & bendy straws! Debating on travel mugs...I love my morning coffee, and drinks staying cold for longer sure sounds good too!
4. Sufficient sunscreen (this was already my #1 worry prior to reading this thread)
5. Pens and copies of passports in both people's luggage.

Thanks again, everyone! I will be checking back here frequently, for sure!
5.

Only 97 days to go! 
I wrote down a summary of everything contained in these pages without all the explanations, pictures etc. I'm sure some things are doubled and others have been left out. No offense. I was seeing double.